Ladder bracket



L. P. REIMANN LADDER BRACKET Filed March 13 1922 xii/M55: IJOcrst,

Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

UNlT-ED STATES LOUIS P. REIMANN, or smmm w YORK.

LADDER BRACKET.

Application filed Mareh 13, 1922. Serial No. 543,224.

painters, carpenters, and other artisans to support planks on which to walk while working.

The object of my invention is to provide a bracket of this kind whereby the main strain is imparted to the rails of the ladder; in contradistinction to the present type of bracket, by the use of which the strain is appliedto the rungs of the ladder. 1

Another object of my invention is the provision of a bracket which is adjustable to different widths of ladders, and the planl support of which may be easily and conveniently adjusted to horizontal position regardless of the inclination-of the ladder to which the bracket is applied.

A. still further object is to provide a bracket of this kind which is simple, inexpensive and easily attached to a'ladder, and which is also durable and readily adjustable along the length ofthe ladder.

' The invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to behereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder shown leaning against a wall and having my improved bracket applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlar ed transverse: section taken on line 22, Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of one of the securing parts of the bracket.

Fig. 4c is a detached perspective view of the other securing part of the bracket.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the lower portion of the leg forming part of one of the securing parts of the bracket.

Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of the plank-support and its connected brace, both of which may be said t'o constitute the supporting portion of the bracket.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 7-7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 8-8, Fig. 6. v

applied to said rails from the rear.

The reference numeral 10 designates an ordinary ladder having the spaced rails 11 and rungs 12 connectedto said rails. The device comprises a securing-portion 1 3 and a supporting portion 14, the securing-portion being substantially of T-formation and comprising a transverse head '15, and a stem or leg 16 depending from said transverse lieadat a point between its ends.

The securing-portion is formed in two parts 17, 18, part l7 forming a part of the head while'part 18 comprises the stem or leg 16 and asecond part of the head 15. The part 17 of thesecuring-portion is preferably formed of a flat strip of metal having one end provided with a rearwardlyextending Ushaped portion 19 adapted to straddle one ofthe rails of the ladder, and it isalso provided with a longitudinallydisposed slot 20. The part 18 of the securing-portion has a fiat transverse part 21 adapted to overlie a'portion of the part 17 The outer end of said flat transverse part 21 is bent into U-shape, as at 22, and this Ushaped portion is similar to the U-shaped portion "19 .and adapted to straddle the other rail of the ladder. The inner end of said fiat transverse part 21 has rearwardlydirected flanges 23 at opposite longitudinal edges adapted, respectively, to bear against the upper and'lower edges of the part 17. The .stem orleg 18 is preferably integral with the flat transverse part 21 and extends from the loweredge of the latter. Directly below said part 21, said stem or legis provided wi'th laterally extending arms 24' bent forwardly at their outer ends to form ears 125 provided with pivot holes 26, for a purpose to "appear hereinafter.

Formed int e flat transverse part 21 is a the stem or leg 18, and through which'bolt through the latter. A thumbnut 29 is-applied to the projecting end of the bolt 28 to thetwo parts 1 7 and 21 of the head the U-shaped ends 19 and 22 thereof in properspaced relation so asto fit the'rails 11 of the ladder, said U-shaped parts being The stem orleg has two supporting hooks 30at 'bolt hole 27, which is preferably in line with h'ole'and the slot 20 in the part 17, a bolt 28 p is passed, said bolt being inserted from the rear so as to first pass through said slot and then through the bolt hole 27 and project 'the rear which are preferablystamped from device receives support from two rungs, If,

however, the device should be used'with a ladder having its rungs spacedc apart a p greater or lesser distance than the spacing of the hooks 30, the device willbe supported by a single hook only. :Therefore, if: desired, the device maybe constructed with a single hook, but I referably make the stem or le 18 of sufiicient length to permitsthe use 0 at least two supportinghooks.

The stem or leg has an outwardly-directed flange 31 along a portionofitslength at one edge thereof, ahdthisjlange isprovided with a series of oblique notches 32; for co-action with a partof the supporting portion 1d of the bracket, to be presently described. i i I I Y The supporting portion 14c comprises. an arm or. plank'support 33, and a bracetiq i, said arm or plankfsupiport being preferably formed. or" a strip of metal slit'atoppo site ends and bentlengthwise uponiitself, as at 35, so that it is of substantiallyYU-shape along the greater portion of its length, op-

, posite sides of ,the armor plank support being bent or inclined outwardly and rearwardly where slit at its. rear or ,in'ner end, as at 36, and thence directed rearwardlyparallel with the U-shapedportion oithe,.. arm or plank support, asat 37. ,In this manner a comparatively, large fork is! formed'atthe rear end of said arm orlpl'ank support.- I This .fork may be referred toa's comprising two spaced arms, parts of. which are disposed obliquely and parts parallel jwith' ftheiushaped portion of 'said'farm; or] plank support, the parts parallel with saidlufsha'ped portion having pivot. holes 38 Qwhichf ter with the pivot, holes 26 in thelearsflfi.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the, 'reanor inner ends of the arms. formingisaidfjfork are spaced to lie against the, ifinerlfiidesflof the ears 25, and pivot boltsjfi oranyfother means for pivotallyconnecting the/plank pivot holes 26, and 38 formed, respectively,

By slitting: the oppositeor outer ,end of the plank support, two ,spaced arms, are provided which form a comp aratiyelysmall fork 40 at saidend throughfwhiehthebrace 3i is passed, a pivotel' being passed through The upwardly-extending portion 'of the .wei support: to saidears are passedthljoughfthe i v I claim .is:-- in said ears and thespacedarinsfat therealr of said plank support. i

brace, designated. by the numeral l2, may therefore be considered a safety device for the plank.

- The innerorlower end of the brace 34 is forked and has a retainer pin 43 extending through the space within said fork, said pin beingedapted to be, entered in any one of the oblique notches 32 formed in the flange 31 on the stem or leg 18. V

The inclination or" the ladder to which the device is applied will-determine the par ,ticular notch 32 of theiiange with which the pin 43 of the brace 2% is adaptedto engage, it being desirable to have the plank support 33positioned horizontally at all times in order to makeiitconvenient for workmen to .move freely along the f plank resting; thereon. Therefore, when the lad- .der is inclined atv a greater angle than shown in Fig. 1, it will be necessary to enter the pin/13in a lower notch of the flange 31 in order to bring the plank support 33 in horizontal position, and when the ladder is .positioned tomoreclosely approach the vertical, it will be necessary to enter the pin 43 in a higher notch of the flange-31. The weight of the plank and the workmen thereon is carried by the plank support 33 and therefore the strain applied to the head 15 of the device is outwardly or against therails of the ladderfrom the rear. i

. With the construction shown and de scribed, strain on the bracket is mostly imparted to the rails of the ladder, relieving the rungsof strain toa large degree. lVhile ,there is naturally strain. applied to the stem leg of the device,- this. is distributedpver a number of rungs, due to said stem or leg of considerable length sosas to extend ..a. distan ce ,along. the length of the. ladder.

ing the arm ,or; plank-support 33, and brace 34,8Wi11g5, on theretainer pin43, and the plank-support ht. 4

aving thus describedniy invention, what 1. [The combination, with a ladder having railsfand rungs. connecting said rails, o f a bracket .comprising a securing member .formed of two parts, one part comprising a fiat transverse portlon havlng a depen dingleg between its ends, retainer ears extending rearwardly therefrom atone endand a U-shaped ,ra1l-engagingn1ember at its other. end, the other part comprising a flat transversepor tion lying against the rear of said first men-' tioned flat transverse portion between the retainer ears thereof and having .a longislot and through said firstanentioned fiat tudinal slot and ar-railfengaging member at its outer end, a bolt extending through said transverse portion, a plank support pivotally connected to said leg adjacent said first-1 of said plank support and having adjustable connection with said leg.

2. The combination with a ladder having rails and rungs connecting said rails, of a bracket comprising a support having a head provided withraitengaging ends and a leg depending from said head provided with a hook adapted to engage one of said rungs, said leg having forwardly-extending flange provided with obliquely-disposed notches and spaced forwardly-extending ears adjacent said'head, a plank support having a forked inner end 'pivotally connected to said ears, a brace pivotally connected to the outer end of said plank support and having a forked inner end, and a pin extending through the forked inner end of said brace and adapted for engagement with one of said notches.

3. The combination with a ladder having rails and rungs connecting said rails, of a bracket having a securing member provided with a transversely-adjustable head equipped with rail engaging ends adapted to engage said rails and a stem depending from said head having laterally-extending arms near said head and forwardly extending ears at the outer ends of said arms, said leg having a forwardly extending flange along a p ortion of one of itsedges provided with-a series of notches, a plank support having a forked inner end pivotally connected with said ears, and a brace pivotally connected to the outer end of said plank support and having means to engage any one of said series of notches.

at. A bracket for ladders comprising a securing portion having a transversely-disposed upper nember provided with forwardly-opening U-shaped portions adapted to engage opposite rails of a ladder and a leg extending downwardly from said transversely-disposed upper member and provided near its upper end with forwardly extending spaced ears and with a forwardlydirected flange along one edge thereof having a series of obliquely-disposed notches therein, said leg having also downwardly opening hooks stamped therefrom and extending from the inner or rear face thereof, a plank support pivotally connected at its inner end to the ears of said leg, and a brace pivotally connected to the outer end' of said plank support andhaving a notchengaging pin at its inner end, adapted to engage any one ofsaid series of notches.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

' LOUIS P. REIMANN. 

